Use of IVs during a game?

[LuersLurker]

Quick question for the refs out there:  Is it legal to give a player an IV at halftime and then have them come back and play?  If yes, are the contents of the IV solution monitored in some way?  Thanks

[Impartial_Observer]

How would the officials even monitor this?

[Bobref]

Nothing in the rules about IVs. However, it is illegal for players to use supplemental oxygen during the game. Believe it or not.

Edited December 1, 2024 by Bobref

[LuersLurker]

27 minutes ago, Bobref said:

Nothing in the rules about IVs. However, it is illegal for players to use supplemental oxygen during the game. Believe it or not.

Thank you. I was honest when I wrote that I was asking for a friend.  These people asked me while they were at the game  knowing that I was on these football boards.  I did not want to even inquire as to why.

[Impartial_Observer]

On 12/1/2024 at 9:49 AM, LuersLurker said:

Thank you. I was honest when I wrote that I was asking for a friend.  These people asked me while they were at the game  knowing that I was on these football boards.  I did not want to even inquire as to why.

In my time around HS football, I’ve honestly never heard of this in HS games. I think there was mention of halftime IV’s in the book Friday Night Lights, which is an awesome read by the way, the movie….not so much. Seriously halftimes are 15 minutes, how much are you going to get in you?

[Bobref]

42 minutes ago, Impartial_Observer said:

Seriously halftimes are 15 minutes, how much are you going to get in you?

A typical IV bolus is 250–500 mL given over 20–30 minutes. But a standard peripheral IV catheter can infuse 1 L of crystalloid in 10–15 minutes using an infusion pump

Of course, you’d have to add in the time to place the IV. Takes a couple of minutes.

[US31]

In college, I got a halftime IV multiple times over my career.  This was decades ago, but it was done by the team physician. 

As a coach, I wouldn't look sideways at it, provided it was done by (and at the discreation of) a physician (not just the ATC). And also with the consent of the parents.  As I coach, I wouldn't want to be involved in that at all, but I'd defer to an MD saying "the kid needs it, and the parents approve".

ETA: in almost 30 years of coaching, I don't think I've ever seen it done.  Not saying it hasn't, we've had a few kids over the years that had diabetic issues and always had to check levels, etc at halftime...possible that was something that the team doc might have done if needed.  I'd also ask how many HS teams have an actual medical "doc" available to do this.

Edited December 5, 2024 by US31

[jets]

On 12/1/2024 at 6:41 AM, LuersLurker said:

Quick question for the refs out there:  Is it legal to give a player an IV at halftime and then have them come back and play?  If yes, are the contents of the IV solution monitored in some way?  Thanks

I don't even understand the "questioning" of this practice?? You think it is an unfair advantage?? What's next, you're not allowed to drink Gatorade at halftime?? Granted, not everyone has the "means" to pull off such an act (IV's throughout the game) - but if you do - more power to you. It's not like they are pumping steroids' or HGH lol... 

[Bobref]

5 hours ago, jets said:

I don't even understand the "questioning" of this practice?? You think it is an unfair advantage?? What's next, you're not allowed to drink Gatorade at halftime?? Granted, not everyone has the "means" to pull off such an act (IV's throughout the game) - but if you do - more power to you. It's not like they are pumping steroids' or HGH lol... 

A contrary argument is that administration of intravenous fluids to a minor for competitive purposes, rather than medical necessity, is unethical. By all means, if a kid needs IV fluids he should get them. But if he needs that sort of medical intervention, he’s not going back in the ballgame.

[LuersLurker]

8 hours ago, jets said:

I don't even understand the "questioning" of this practice?? You think it is an unfair advantage?? What's next, you're not allowed to drink Gatorade at halftime?? Granted, not everyone has the "means" to pull off such an act (IV's throughout the game) - but if you do - more power to you. It's not like they are pumping steroids' or HGH lol... 

A surgeon watching a game from the stands notices a player come out from halftime with a bandage that is of the type and location to suggest that an IV was administered.  The surgeon knew that I was on this forum.  He asked that I inquire if anyone knew if this was allowed in Indiana High School sports.  Nothing more, Nothing less.

[jets]

15 hours ago, LuersLurker said:

A surgeon watching a game from the stands notices a player come out from halftime with a bandage that is of the type and location to suggest that an IV was administered.  The surgeon knew that I was on this forum.  He asked that I inquire if anyone knew if this was allowed in Indiana High School sports.  Nothing more, Nothing less.

And again I ask - what is the big deal if it was?? I'm not trying to be argumentative - I genuinely am ignorant on the practice of IV's...like - what is the big deal if a player was? Is there some kind of medical risk? Is there some kind of competitive advantage (I'm assuming rehydration?) 

[Impartial_Observer]

7 hours ago, jets said:

And again I ask - what is the big deal if it was?? I'm not trying to be argumentative - I genuinely am ignorant on the practice of IV's...like - what is the big deal if a player was? Is there some kind of medical risk? Is there some kind of competitive advantage (I'm assuming rehydration?) 

I think the obvious question is availability of IV’s for everyone/what’s in the IV, competitive edge? I’ve been on fields where there are multiple doctors/surgeons available and I’ve been places where we don’t even have a trainer. All of it is certainly above my pay grade as an official.